Page 26

AIDEN

When Kat finally fell asleep, curled up next to me, I felt something inside my chest shift—something significant, something I couldn't easily dismiss. For weeks, I'd been denying how I felt, telling myself she was nothing more than a distraction, a challenge I had to overcome. But now, looking down at her peaceful face pressed against my chest, it was impossible to pretend anymore. I like her. I really like her.

It wasn't just attraction; I'd felt that many times before. This was deeper, quieter, yet infinitely louder in my heart. Kat was fierce, passionate, and stubborn—but seeing her vulnerable and broken, trusting me enough to let me in when she was at her weakest, had stirred something inside me that I hadn't expected.

She hadn’t avoided me after the panic attack. That alone felt huge. Instead, she'd quietly leaned into me, letting me hold her, letting me help her—even accepting my presence when she'd taken a bath to wash away the remnants of her anxiety. The memory of gently washing her skin, carefully and respectfully, was imprinted on my mind, making my heart pound in an almost overwhelming way.

I felt protective, responsible even, like she'd entrusted me with something fragile. For the first time, it didn’t feel suffocating—it felt right.

Kat stirred slightly in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible, and pressed closer. I tightened my arms around her, inhaling the faint scent of her shampoo. Right then, I knew without a doubt—I was utterly screwed. I wasn't just falling for her; I’d already fallen.

The following day came too quickly. Sunlight streaming into her room made her eyelashes flutter open slowly. Her sleepy yet clear gaze met mine, and for a brief moment, neither of us moved or spoke.

“Hey,”

I whispered, breaking the silence gently.

“Hey,”

she replied softly, voice hoarse but tender.

“How are you feeling?”

I asked cautiously, brushing her hair back from her face.

She hesitated, then smiled faintly. “Better. Thanks to you.”

My chest swelled at her admission. “I’m glad you let me stay.”

She nods almost shyly. “Me too.”

“I have to go see Sophia today. I promised her an ice cream date.”

Kat grins up at me, rubbing her thumb over my jaw.

“You have such a good heart, Aiden.”

Smiling, I wrap my arms around her, placing kisses all over her face as I tighten my hold on her.

“Okay. That cute moment is over. I need my coffee.”

I chuckle, letting her go. Kat gets up and checks that her oversized shirt is okay before leaving the room.

I sigh, gripping my hair and tugging it. Okay, Aiden, don’t fuck this up. I stand and put on my sweatpants, which are lying next to the bed, and make my way out of the room to join Kat in the kitchen.

I smile when I see her leaning by the counter, waiting for her coffee, by the espresso machine. I lean in and place a gentle kiss on her right shoulder. Kat turns around and gives me one of her famous smirks.

“Missed me already?”

She asks teasingly.

“My heart can’t stand being away from you. It’s attached.”

Kat laughs, slapping my chest. The espresso machine beeps, and Kat prepares her coffee while I watch her silently.

The front door slams, and a voice yells, “Breakfast is here.”

Grayson walks into the kitchen, holding three bags of takeout food.

Kat claps her hands and walks towards Graysen to check what’s in the bags, but I stay back and take a couple of sips from her CaramelIced Latte.

“Aiden. Again? I could make you one; you don’t have to drink mine.”

I shrug, grinning at Kat.

“My dear, dear Angel, haven’t you learned? I don’t want one. I want to drink yours.”

She huffs, annoyed, grabs her coffee from my hands, and stalks upstairs back to her room.

After breakfast, Kat assured me she'd be okay alone for a few hours, so I decided to visit Sophia. My sister had been in the hospital too long, and after last night, I needed to see her smiling face.

On the way, I stopped to pick up her favourite—mint chocolate chip ice cream. I used to tease her mercilessly about it being the worst flavour, but secretly, I’d grown to love it too. When I walked into her hospital room, she perked up instantly, her bright eyes sparkling despite the dark circles beneath them.

“Aiden!”

she called excitedly, sitting up straighter.

“Hey, kiddo.”

I smiled widely, holding up the small carton of ice cream. “Brought you something special.”

She squealed in delight. “Mint chocolate chip! Yes! Admit it—you’re glad I converted you.”

I chuckled, handing her the spoon. “Fine, Soph, you win. Best ice cream ever.”

She grinned triumphantly. “Knew you’d come around.”

Sitting beside her bed, I watched her savour the treat, a rare moment of joy in a place that often felt too heavy. My heart twisted every time I looked at her thin frame, her delicate fingers gripping the spoon as if it weighed more than it should.

“I talked to your doctor earlier,”

I told her quietly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Sophia paused mid-bite, eyes wide. “And?”

I smiled broadly, unable to contain my excitement. “They found a match for your stem cells.”

Her breath caught. “Really?”

I nod, my throat suddenly tight with emotion. “Yeah, Soph. It's me. I'm a 99.9% match.”

She stared at me, eyes filling with tears, her lip trembling before she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around my neck tightly.

“Are you going to be my super-hero, Aidy?”

she whispered into my shoulder.

“I’d do anything for you,”

I promised softly, holding her close. “The doctors said your odds are excellent now. We’re gonna beat this, okay?”

She sniffled, pulling back to look at me with determination. “We will.”

When I finally returned home, my heart felt lighter. Kat was sitting on the couch, her knees drawn to her chest. As I walked in, she looked up, her expression softening.

“How’s Sophia?”

she asked, concern etched into her beautiful face.

I sat down beside her, reaching for her hand without thinking. She let me take it, intertwining her fingers with mine.

“She’s good. She asked me to bring you with me next time I visit,”

I said gently, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Kat, they had some news for me today—I’m a 99.9% match for Sophia’s stem cell transplant.”

Her mouth falls open, eyes widening in shock before relief floods her features. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. “Are you serious?”

“Completely.”

I smile gently, cupping her cheek and brushing away her tears with my thumb. “She has a real chance now, Kat.”

A sob escapes her lips as she throws herself into my arms, clinging tightly. “Oh my god, Aiden. This is huge.”

I nod as she tightens her arms around me.

“W-when is the transplant going to happen?”

“Wait, do you need surgery?”

She asks, her eyes wide.

I holdher tightly, heart pounding fiercely in my chest. “I don’t know yet, but you’ll be the first one I’ll tell.”

Kat nods, leaning on my chest to comfort me, and as she settled against me, I knew, without any doubt, that I am utterly screwed when it comes to this girl.